Well the simple answer is No and Yes. Some people will always think of you in the lowest light possible.

 

I feel understanding and communication is key for a healthy relationship between teachers and network managers.

 

I alway found if I explained why I can not do something for a teacher they were understanding.

 

Teachers need to understand alot of the work of the EDU-IT team involves server based work. Because the EDU-IT team are not running around the place do not mean they are not busy.

 

A live helpdesk always help, displaying a list of outstanding tickets.

 

The MSDN post's meation a helpdesk system run by students, which I love the idea of.

Its all about communication, as UK101man puts it. If your able to explain things in simple terms which level 1 IT users would understand. Then they will be more understanding. The problem is often when teachers think that its just a case of putting a CD in the drive and its done, you need to expain the steps involved in doing this and then expain that you need to plan these changes just like they would plan for a terms worth of lessons etc..

Its also about respecting the IT equipment. I know of many teachers who wander in, let their kids wander off task and don't do much about it. The lesson ends, the teacher scarpers and the room is left in a complete mess.

 

If you leave "my" IT rooms a tip, then yes we are going to clash. Teachers would soon be whining if they had to let their room be used and they came back and found it a tip.